De Marchi Casual Wear Review

 

Tim Granshaw

 

De Marchi use new technology and tailoring for their casual wear

 

De Marchi has combined new technology and tailoring to their traditional cycling wear as part of their summer casual wear line. We tested clothing from their Tradition line, which combines historic styles with new materials, and the Authentic line, which revives one of the most versatile fabrics, wool with team designs from the 50s. How did the clothing hold up in our testing? Read more to find out.

 

De Marchi Tradition Line – Campione Polo and Slim Cargo Short

 

The clothing didn’t disappoint once out of the box; the light green jersey with World Champion’s stripes featured beautiful stitching, well-shaped rear pockets, and mother of pearl buttons. This jersey is just as at home on the bike or out for a casual day with friends and family.
 

 
Fit was also more consistent with a traditional polo shirt than a cycling jersey. We found the front and back of the shirt were of equal length, rather than the long back/short front found in more specific cycling jerseys. For those looking for more subdued colours, the Campione Polo is also available in black or a light blue.

 

 
The shorts, in a dark green, were a perfect complement to the jersey. Like the jersey they were beautifully put together. They include heavy buttons across the waist and two lower pockets, a strong zipper, and belt loops (which came in very handy). They look just like cargo shorts but a number of facets make them perfect for cycling around town.

 

 
First, they are made of a slightly stretchy fabric, which ensures that the shorts don’t bind as you ride. I particularly appreciated this when caught in a brief but torrential downpour on the way home from the shops. Rather than chafing as a normal pair of cargo shorts would, the De Marchis continued to perform just as they had before.

 

This same quality made longer rides of 20 kilometers plus in the heat much more comfortable than in more standard baggy cycling wear. The comfort of the shorts is further improved with a seam design that splits, almost like a chamois pattern, around the crotch, ensuring the rider does not sit on a seam.
 

 
The shorts, despite being labelled “slim”, are baggy enough to support a padded undershort for longer rides. We thought they were almost perfect as casual cycling attire.
 

De Marchi’s Tradition Line combines traditional cycling themes with new fabrics and a comfortable fit. Fashion-conscious cyclists on around town rides are the perfect target for this gear. Like other De Marchi clothing, the clothing arrived beautifully packaged in heavy card boxing.

 

 
Our only two complaints? Mere quibbles really. Firstly sizing is not consistent with De Marchi’s Innovation line. Although the jersey fits perfectly, the large shorts were large around my 31 inch waist, requiring a belt. Make sure you avoid the same mistake we did and check De Marchi’s sizing chart before selecting your short size!

 

Second, the lower pockets on the shorts, when filled with keys or change, stretched the stretchy fabric of the shorts. We might include a lining within these pockets to help them keep their shape.

 

De Marchi Authentic Line – Bottechia Ursus Jersey
 
De Marchi has a long-running relationship with Italian cycling. From the 40s and 50s when they sponsored teams including Bottechia and Wilier to today’s affiliations with many national federations, their clothing is intertwined with the sport. The Authentic line offers replicas of many of the jerseys De Marchi made for cycling teams in the past.
 

 

Our Bottechia Ursus jersey is a button-for-button replica of that of Louison Bobet in 1951. Like the other clothing we’ve tested from De Marchi, it is beautifully made.
 
It includes a stripe pattern in the jersey knit with embroidered letters. A real work of art. Made of 100% Merino wool, I found it kept me warm in cool conditions and wicked perspiration in warmer, stickier weather.
 

 
Unusual, even for wool replica jerseys, the Ursus included five pockets; the standard three rear pockets and, more unusual, two front pockets just below the bottom of the collar buttons, over the right and left breast bone. The front pockets are subtle, only called out by the mother of pearl buttons at the top of each pocket, but quite useful. I found them more secure for small items, like keys, when travelling by bike. They won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but their appeal grew on me during the test.

 

Conclusions

 

De Marchi makes excellent premium clothing. If you have a few pounds to spend, we can’t recommend them highly enough.

 
The clothing is designed well, fits excellently and looks sharp.

 

Campione Polo RRP € 120,00

 

Cargo Slim Short RRP € 100,00

 

De Marchi